You can pretty much go with any Vault 100 firm and be in great shape. However, from your post - and I do see the sense in using the word "shop" if you mean firms that are known exclusively for their litigation and thus generally boutiques - also consider Farella in SF.

Boies Schiller - Although not a huge presence in California (small office in Oakland), David Boies has a huge presence in litigation.

Day Casebeer - Small firm (only 30-40 attys) in Silicon Valley does exclusively IP litigation but pays 135k. Named partner Rusty Day (and other named partners) built strong reputation as IP litigation group at Cooley before spinning off their own firm.

I do see the sense in using the word "shop" if you mean firms that are known exclusively for their litigation and thus generally boutiques

Then he should have said boutiques.

Also, Boies is a good litigation place but I don't necessarily think it would be top of the list. if we aren't talking boutiques Gibson is great in California. Also, Susman Godfrey has an LA office. they are fantastic.

Actually, yeah, from what I hear,, Day Casebeer is awesome. One of the most brightest and hardworking of my classmates went to them. From what I hear, they are the firm that cleans up other firm's messes on a lot of IP matters.

And I'm not so sure that they would pay less than market. Perhaps they didn't update on NALP but from what I heard last year, they were paying market if not above.

I never said they paid below market. 135k is market in Silicon Valley except for the NYC firms and a handful of exceptions. They may have raised to 145k after the NYC firms went up to 160, but I'm not sure. In any case, my point was that Day Casebeer pays much more than most 30-40 lawyer firms.

EDIT: I just checked their website. Apparently they've also raised to 160.